By the seventh gate, Chitterfang's presence in Han Yu's mind felt sharper, clearer. The connection between them thrummed faintly, as if stretched taut over distance but unbroken.
'Seventh gate… cold hurts paws… but still okay.'
Han Yu swallowed slowly.
"Seventh gate."
That was deep. Deep enough that most disciples would never set foot there in their entire lives. Beyond this point lay the true inner sanctum of the Second Kidney Peak, where elders resided and the Peak Head's domain began.
Han Yu let his fishing line sit idle for a moment, gaze unfocused as if staring into the distance. The other fisherman nearby paid him no mind.
"Careful now," Han Yu sent gently. "If it feels wrong, stop."
A pause.
Then, Chitterfang's mental voice came again, tinged with uncertainty.
'Ground hard. Very hard. Can't dig. Like metal.'
Han Yu exhaled through his nose.
That confirmed it.
